The surrounding fog was thick it was so bad that it didn't even give you any sense of vision around us luckily I had my water and ice magic in my disposal which allowed me to make the fog disperse in a 75 meter radius,on top of that the slimes were leading the way giving us a safe route to travel towards the ratman village.
it had been 4 hours since we started marching towards the ratman village.We first walked through the thick forest until we finally arrived at the foggy part of the forest which seemed to be much different then the usual part of the forest.
The temperature was strangely colder in this area it didn't bother me really,but it seemed to make the girls slightly uncomfortable since they weren't used to such cold,the sun wasn't even visible in this strange cold area hidden behind the fog.
Our formation was tight and guarded as always I stood in the center of the set formation keeping watch of everything and holding the fog from us to let us see where we were going no,one was speaking which wasn't unusual.
We had encountered a lot of beasts while getting here,most of which seemed to be very different from the ones we encounter in the normal part of the forest using stealth tactics to try get one of us from the shadows,most of the time it didn't work because of hobusakus void shifting skill which allowed her to move in the darkness.the instances of her movement through such darkness seemed to be extremely fast allowing her to spot any beast or enemy that was in the hiding in our vicinity.There were even beasts that seemed to use magic such as
-Why is there so much fog...
I mumbled to myself wondering about the issue while looking around,the terrain and the temperature we were in should be actually pretty warm there was no reason for fog to gather around here meaning that there is something that is causing this amount of cold to gather and create the fog,but currently I didn't have any clue on what that might be.
I pondered,but no matter how much I pondered I couldn't find a solution to this problem so I simply decided to keep the information behind my back and concentrate back on the road.
As we were walking through the forest hobura who was standing by my side suddenly stepped closer,her step was very quiet and almost got through undetected.
I looked at her for a moment I wasn't sure what she was planning really,but I noticed that her hand and her lips were quivering very so slightly she wore scale armor it was prepared by the kobolds and and fit hobura pretty well since she liked her mobility and the armor also covered a lot of space that would protect her,but nonetheless there were some parts that didn't fully protect her like her some parts of her thighs her neck and her hands which seemed to bother her a bit.
I smiled she didn't seem to consciously want to move closer to me rather she did on a impulse since she felt cold,hobura was still sharp and guarded like always keeping her head high and looking around for any potential threats that may come her big cleaver like buster sword was hanging behind her back not budging and hitting the floor it was very natural and the sword itself emitted some small dark aura connected to its host.
I grabbed onto hobura's hand my touch had immediately pulled hobura's attention as she turned her head to me puzzled my hand wasn't warm,but our touch combined created a heat fraction that made it warm at least for her,hobura realized that too and smiled at me grateful and also charmed her grip was gentle and soft even though she had so much strength she know how to control it very well most probably because of me.
-Ahem...
Hoboku who was standing on my other side coughed dryly she was watching me and hobura hold hands to intimately which made a spark of jealousy bloom in her heart as she tried to interrupt hearing her cough I immediately stopped holding hoburas hand and smiled at hoboku wryly hobura in turn was a bit angry at hoboku turning her head the other way to avoid looking at her hoboku did the same.
Huh...did I just cause that ?
I wondered not sure why my innocent gesture had so much impact.
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-Dakiro ? We are in place how is your situation ?
I asked using my transmission link to contact him...right now we were sitting not all too far away from the ratman village inside a cave.
-My lord ? We found the weapons that you have prepared for us in the forest with this we are fully armed now and ready to go I will inform you when the lamia will arrive !
I acknowledged shutting off and waiting for the time to come,the slimes were spread in this area acting as cameras in case something happened.
The girls were sitting inside the cave in a small circle a fire was made to keep us warm while I sat next to the entrance,checking on a few matters that had transpired while I was out cold.
The humans who were digging through the tomb were now officially gone the slimes informed me that they stayed for another 2 days until they finally came out the silver knight seemed to be most frustrated and even fought with one of the soldiers the slime reported telling me that they didn't find what they were looking for they couldn't do anything,but leave at that point the silver knight appointed a few people to stay though and keep watch right now they are still traveling back the slimes are following them in hot pursuit.
Anyways other then this there isn't anything new the slimes are still exploring the forest throughly it seems like the area where the giant glowing tree was is a threshold for anyone who passes it dies or at least gets killed.
The slimes tried to move around it,but they soon discovered that the particular area seemed to be not passable since they would always get killed in the process,in the end it was decided that they wouldn't adventure to that part of the forest and decided to go a different way...strange...maybe thats the core area of the forest vulgan warned me about...
I thought about it for a moment it stroke my interest quite a bit,but in the end I decided not to push my luck going there now wasn't necessary.
Making up my mind I got up from the rock and looked behind me where the girls were sitting circling the camp fire the expressions they were showing was that of comfort and pleasure for them it was pretty cold in comparison to me who didn't feel anything in particular,I noted that I should carry more thicker clothing for these kinds of situation.
-Lord sorron how long do you think we need to wait ?
Hoboku asked curling up into a ball while staring into the fire,I also came closer and sat next to her making her smile for a moment as I started enjoying the flame.
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-Until night I believe thats the usual schedule they take to deliver the stones to the lamia we will start moving the moment the ratman get ready so be sharp
-Nghh
Hoboku acknowledged looking back at the flame in front of us that was burning hot our surroundings were pretty quiet actually no,one was talking for some reason just sitting here taking in the atmosphere cuddled in together to keep warm.
-Lord sorron did you think about the request I made to you...
Hoboku who sat beside me asked a bit anxious..hearing her words made me sort of confused since I couldn't understand what she was talking about...a request ?
The others evenly started to get interested in our conversation there was nothing going on so that was obvious to happen.
-Ehm...sorry I seemed to have forgotten..
I said honestly not even sure if she mentioned anything of that sort did I really just forget about it ?
Hearing my answer hoboku looked a bit embarrassed for some reason it was strange because she is usually very calm and collected doing bold things without a sign of shame in them she even goes as far as having sex with me while everyone is watching which I don't want to remember anymore.
-The...you see...when I requested you to not leave my side anymore...you know when you woke up I told you...
Listening to her my mind slowly started to remember the events of yesterday recalling hoboku's somewhat crazy words which made me a bit mad at the time I was thinking that she was simply tired and not right in the mind and said that in the spur of the moment,but now she is seriously going on about it ?
-Hoboku I already said no I don't need you or anyone else you understand ?
The was a very small silence around us as I finished saying my sentence the silence was very unnatural and felt weird.The were also now looking at me sort of shocked and wide eyed some even showing a face of disbelieve.
-Wait what ?
-You don't need us ?
-Are you going to leave ?
The girls started,quickly stepped closer and asking questions after questions some of them starting to tear up for some reason,seeing them panicked like this made me stunned for a moment.
-Lord sorron do you mean it !
Hobura who was on my other side quickly barged into my chest hugging me tight in a very possessive manner looking up at me her eyes showing a very horrified look on her face.
They all did quickly surrounding me.
-No no no I am not leaving you girls you misunderstood !
I quickly explained my sudden shout made the girls calm down one after another it was surprising that they would get this emotional so quickly just because of a misunderstanding hobura on the other hand was still holding onto me her hands were trembling refusing to let go of me no matter what as if I was going to run away.Her puppy eyes were also keeping me in place.
Anyways out of simple panic I started telling the girls about the conversation I had with hoboku when I woke up and what we were talking about just now clearing up the misunderstanding.
After I finished my explanation the girls calmed down significantly and looked at hoboku almost scorning that she had caused something like this who in turn just turned her head the other way with a humph.
I laughed seeing them like this it was funny really and gave some color to our little interaction,but just as I finished telling them about my story I looked down again and realized that hobura still was hugging me tight not letting go she still looked a bit terrified like a little puppy it made me puzzled as I started stroking her head to calm her down.
-Hobura is everything alright ? Don't worry it was just a misunderstanding...
I spoke gently,but hobura still seemed a bit sad as she answered me.
-Lord sorron...you aren't like us...
My hand froze...hearing her words had snapped something in my head as I stared at her momentarily lost for words...
-Wha...what do you mean by that ? I am me and you are you there isn't anything wrong with that
I said trying to sound kind and gentle hobura once again raised her head to me her eyes full of emotion as she spoke.
-But you are different you seemed a lot more happier living in the kobold village or staying in the dark elf village you even build your own house like the one in the villages you don't sleep in the cave anymore...
Muttered almost pouting...her words made me incredible astonished since I slowly started understand why she as acting this way...
Hobura was thinking that at some point I would leave them and return from where I came from.
I raised my head looking at hoboku's direction who had evenly the same expression on her face as I did,we met eyes for a moment and I could see the nostalgic look on her face.
I had this very same conversation with her and it was in fact when we built the house.
Gritting my teeth I looked at the others around us they seemed evenly as sad as hobura looking down seeing them like this made me realize that this exact thought had crossed all of them at some point and with my misunderstanding now that thought only strengthened and made them anxious which is why they overreacted so much at the beginning.
I smiled laughing for a bit I hugged onto hobura I needed to make this clear.
-I will never leave you I will say it again.Yes it is true I am different then you I am came from a place very far from here and I can't return,but even If I wanted to I would never leave you guys the houses and villages are things that I am comfortable with,but they are nothing compared to you guys if you want me to I will even give up the house I built and go back to the cave and start sleeping with you and do you know why I would do that ?
I asked not just asking hobura,but everyone else too.Hobura started sobbing for a moment getting a hic up while pressing onto my chest.
-wah..why ?
-Because I love you and you are my home...
The hearts of the girls immediately started to break free one after another as they got closer hugging me one after another the doubt and worry in their hearts immediately started disappearing once hearing my words ending up in one big group hugging session mixed with small sobs here and there.
I let it happen and consoled them one after another to make them calm down.
It was really hard being the only guy in this group,after all I am entitled to a lot of responsibilities for these girls bot physically and emotionally.
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